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How To Make A Custom Function In Google Sheets

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Google Sheets is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization. One of the key features that makes Google Sheets so versatile is the ability to create custom functions using Google Apps Script. Custom functions allow you to extend the functionality of Google Sheets and perform complex calculations that are not available with built-in functions.

Importance of Custom Functions in Google Sheets

Custom functions can save you time and increase productivity by automating repetitive tasks. They can also help you perform complex calculations that are not possible with built-in functions. For example, you can create a custom function to calculate the average of every nth row in a large dataset, or to convert a string of text into a specific format.

How to Make a Custom Function in Google Sheets

Step 1: Open Google Apps Script

To create a custom function in Google Sheets, you need to open Google Apps Script. To do this, click on “Extensions” in the menu bar, then select “Apps Script.”

Step 2: Create a New Project

Once you have opened Google Apps Script, create a new project by clicking on the “+” button in the top left corner. Give your project a name and click “Create.”

Step 3: Write Your Custom Function

Now it’s time to write your custom function. In the script editor, write a function that takes inputs and returns a value. For example, the following function takes two inputs, adds them together, and returns the result:

function addNumbers(a, b) {
return a + b;
}

Step 4: Test Your Custom Function

Once you have written your custom function, test it by calling it from a cell in Google Sheets. To do this, type “=addNumbers(” into a cell, followed by the inputs you want to use. For example, “=addNumbers(2, 3)” would return the value 5.

Step 5: Save and Publish Your Custom Function

Once you have tested your custom function, save and publish it. To do this, click on the “Deploy” button in the top right corner of the script editor. Select “New deployment,” then “Web app,” and set the access level to “Anyone, even anonymous.” Click “Deploy” to publish your custom function. (See Also: How To Check Conditional Formatting In Google Sheets)

Conclusion

Custom functions are a powerful feature of Google Sheets that allow you to extend the functionality of the tool and automate repetitive tasks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create your own custom functions and increase your productivity in Google Sheets.

How to Make a Custom Function in Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a powerful and popular spreadsheet program that allows users to perform a variety of tasks, including creating custom functions. Custom functions can help you automate repetitive tasks, perform complex calculations, and create more dynamic and interactive spreadsheets. In this article, we will show you how to make a custom function in Google Sheets.

Creating a Custom Function

To create a custom function in Google Sheets, you will need to use Google Apps Script, which is a JavaScript-based scripting language developed by Google. Here are the steps to create a custom function:

  1. Open your Google Sheets spreadsheet.
  2. Click on Tools in the top menu, and then select Script editor.
  3. In the script editor, click on the File menu, and then select New to create a new script.
  4. Write your custom function using JavaScript. For example:
function DOUBLE(input) {
return input * 2;
}

In this example, the custom function DOUBLE takes one input and multiplies it by two. You can modify this function to suit your needs.

Using a Custom Function

Once you have created your custom function, you can use it in your Google Sheets spreadsheet. Here are the steps to use a custom function:

  1. Switch back to your Google Sheets spreadsheet.
  2. In a cell, type = followed by the name of your custom function and the input in parentheses. For example:
=DOUBLE(5)

This will return the result of the custom function, which is 10 in this example.

Sharing a Custom Function

If you want to share your custom function with others, you can publish it as a web app. Here are the steps to publish a custom function: (See Also: How Do I Hide Rows In Google Sheets)

  1. In the script editor, click on the Publish menu, and then select Deploy as web app.
  2. In the web app settings, select Anyone, even anonymous as the access level.
  3. Click on the Deploy button.
  4. Copy the web app URL and share it with others.

Once you have published your custom function as a web app, others can use it in their Google Sheets spreadsheet by entering the web app URL in a cell. For example:

=https://script.google.com/macros/s/.../exec?function=DOUBLE&input=5

This will return the result of the custom function, which is 10 in this example.

Recap

In this article, we have shown you how to make a custom function in Google Sheets. Here are the key points:

  • Custom functions can help you automate repetitive tasks, perform complex calculations, and create more dynamic and interactive spreadsheets.
  • To create a custom function, you need to use Google Apps Script, which is a JavaScript-based scripting language developed by Google.
  • To use a custom function, you need to type = followed by the name of your custom function and the input in parentheses.
  • To share your custom function with others, you can publish it as a web app and share the web app URL.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to make a custom function in Google Sheets. Happy spreadsheeting!

FAQs: How To Make A Custom Function In Google Sheets

1. How do I start creating a custom function in Google Sheets?

To start creating a custom function in Google Sheets, you need to open a new Google Apps Script project by clicking on Extensions > Apps Script. In the script editor, you can write your custom function using JavaScript.

2. What is the syntax for a custom function in Google Sheets?

The syntax for a custom function in Google Sheets is similar to a JavaScript function. You need to give it a name, and then define its parameters and implementation. For example:
function myFunction(input1, input2) {
// function body
return output;
}

3. How do I call a custom function in a Google Sheets cell?

To call a custom function in a Google Sheets cell, you need to type `=` followed by the function name and its parameters, just like you would with a built-in function. For example:
=myFunction(A1, B1)

4. Can I use built-in Google Sheets functions inside a custom function?

Yes, you can use built-in Google Sheets functions inside a custom function. You can access them by using their names just like you would in a regular Google Sheets formula. For example, you can use the `SUM` function inside your custom function like this:
function myFunction(range) {
return SUM(range);
}

See Also:

5. How do I share my custom function with others?

To share your custom function with others, you need to publish your Google Apps Script project as a web app. You can do this by going to the script editor, clicking on Publish > Deploy as web app. Then, you can set the access level and click Deploy. After that, you can share the web app URL with others, and they can use your custom function in their Google Sheets.

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